Jai Ho

Jai Ho
(translates as "Let Victory Prevail")
2014
4/5 stars

Jai (Salman Khan) is an ordinary man with a desire to help others.  He formulates a plan in which, instead of saying "thank you" for a kind act, the recipient will vow to help three others, telling them to do the same.  In helping others, Jai crosses the local political family, starting a feud.

This is a serious and violent drama with a most positive message, encouraging the doing of good, and celebrating the power of the common man.  It is an engrossing film, with an exceptionally good supporting cast.  Khan wears the same serious face throughout most of the movie, and does little acting other than action, but that doesn't lesson the film.  The music is good, the choreography nice, and the costumes often beautiful.  Overall, this is an intense, yet feel-good film, in the best Bollywood style.

Note: Cast includes Tabu as Geeta, and Daisy Shah as Rinky.

Movie available through Amazon Prime.

Biwi No. 1

Biwi No. 1
(translates as "Wife Number One")
1999
2/5 stars

Prem (Salman Khan) is happily married to Pooja (Karisma Kapoor) until he becomes infatuated with model Rupali (Sushmita Sen). Pooja is devastated when she discovers his infidelity, and then forms a plan to win him back.

Humor is an intensely personal thing, and for me, watching Prem deceive his wife while trying to appease his mistress was not funny. The acting was great, and some of the musical numbers spectacular, but I just didn't enjoy the plot.

Cast also includes Anil Kapoor, Tabu, and Saif Ali Khan.

Jeet

Jeet
(translates as "victory")
1996
5/5 stars

In this action-filled drama, Sunny Deol plays Karan, a hired gun for the local crime lord. When planning to beat up Kajal's father, he sees her and instantly falls in love with her. Kajal ( Karisma Kapoor) hates Karan at first, but gradually falls in love with him as well. Her father, not knowing her secret, arranges a marriage for Kajal with Raju (Salman Khan), a family friend. When Raju crosses the same crime lord, Karan is hired to kill Raju and the unexpected happens.

This film is engrossing, sometimes moving, and always entertaining. It is quite violent, not atypical for Bollywood, and contains some impressive musical numbers. Deol is fantastic in his role, and is especially chilling as a killer. Khan was a bit over-the-top in his interpretation of Raju, but was as charming as ever. Kapoor played her emotional scenes spectacularly well.

Overall, this is an excellent film and well worth watching for Bollywood fans.

Cast also includes Tabu.

Movie available on You Tube:

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Hum Saath-Saath Hain

Hum Saath-Saath Hain
(translates as "we are together")
1999
5/5 stars

This is a sweet romance/drama about a family with three sons and one married daughter who are devoted to each other. The father wants the family to stay together, but friends influence the mother to make a break in the family, causing a crisis with the brothers. In addition, each brother's gentle romance is shown and the sister has a drama of her own.

The acting is excellent, with Karishma Kapoor's performance particularly enjoyable. The many music scenes were vibrant and fun. Overall, this gentle film is syrupy sweet, but perfectly enjoyable

The excellent cast includes:

• Mohnish Behl as Vivek 
• Salman Khan as Prem 
• Saif Ali Khan as Vinod 
• Tabu as Sadhana 
• Sonali Bendre as Preeti 
• Karisma Kapoor as Sapna 
• Neelam Kothari as Sangita 
• Mahesh Thakur as Anand 
• Reema Lagoo as Mamta 
• Alok Nath as Ramkishan

Movie available on Amazon Prime.